Fish farm fined for pollution and unapproved water system

US - MONTAGUE. Australis Aquaculture, a fish farm at Turners Falls, has reached an agreement with the state Department of Environmental Protection to address odours from its plant and correct its wastewater treatment system.

The farm has been under investigation since March after complaints were raised locally about odour. The problem was traced to a tank used to collect and store fish manure.

Inspectors also found that Australis had modified its wastewater treatment system without state approval.

The agreement included a $6,500 penalty, of which $3,000 was suspended. Josh Goldman, the managing director of Australis, said the company raises barramundi, an Australian fish, for consumption.